Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-01-11
YANKEE KING,
HOW COL. STE1SBERGFR RE
GAME AN AUTOCEAT.

>OuCu seas. observes writer in the San
Francisco Call. Steinbergor was a most
remarkable man. "C0lOneW was a brevet
rank with which, like many other citizens.
he was endowed after the war, L. was
only when the troubles were over. and
Gen. Grant became President, that Stein.
berger came into public notice. In the
old days, when the great captain was an
officer on the frontier, Steinberger was
banking at Denver, aud certain pecuni-
airy transactions occurred between them.
President Grant never forgot his friend S
"a beautiful personal trait in a private
individual, but often unfortunate where
public interests are concerned, Stein
berger, fifteen years ago, was enga ged TO
the accomplished daughter of an ex.
Senator of Virginia, He boasted thai he
could have had the post of Secretary of
Legation at London, ''but there wasn't
any money in it," lie had beard Of
Samoa, and became impressed with the
idea that it offered a fine field for Ameri-
can adventure. Accordingly he Obtain I'd
a commission from the President as
representative of the United States. and
was given passage in a United States
man-ot-war 10 Apia, the chief settlement
Of the Samoan or NAVIGATOR Islands.
There Steinberger began the work OF in
gratiating himself with all sections OF the
community.
Samoa, like ancient GauI. was divided
into three parts, the native chiefs, the
missionaries and the traders. The rulers
Of the islands receive the title of Malietoa,
or high chief, in the same manner as the
Roman emperors were called Caesar. Two
factions disputed as to which should
4 nominate the MalietOa. Stein berger made
! himself favorite with both parties. 'NO
man." said Mr.. William Hennings Of Le-
Avuka, the great "white CHIEF OF the Filis.
20 me, twas so popular with the natives
pc Steinberger. have lived with them
II my life, yet in a few months he WAS
he ad of me. In dealing with the natives
einberger had all the distinguishing
lalities of gentleman, which they I'M
Irstand, with a frankness of association
ich fiattered them. He would wear
sulu, and even whiten his head with
ii at times. They liked this, and his
enRth aud personality impressed
sn." The sulu is just plain strip OF
cO wound about the waist. 1t is the
land kilt in embryo, a complete
pine in itself, cool and not cumber-
Lassi is coral lime, with which
theHatives bleach their hair, obtaining a
variety of shades, from dark brown TO a
fiery red. Col. Stein berger's athletic
qualities were highly valued 0y the ma
tives. He was one of the best pistol and
rife shots ! nave ever seen, and in this
further aroused the admiration OF the
Samoans.
In the South Seas personal attributes
make men leaders of men. Thus, during
= the reign OF Thakam bau, King OF the
Canuibal Islands, in Fiji, the most popular
man with the natives was Mr., james
Stewart Buffers, a former Mayor of
Melbourne, who was celebrated for the
hOspitalities he dispensed during the
time of the Duke of Edlnburgh's visit TO
the colonies He went to FIJI and helped
to run the government OF Thakambau,
being Speaker of the House. Mr.. J. s.
Buffers is a Highlander, and could run
and leap and pitch the caber with any
man in Australasia. He astOnisheG the
Fijians by his strength and daring, and
the manner in which he would dive off a
coral reef These were essential qualities
they could understand. IhakRmbau
greatly admired his Speaker on this &C
count, although totally ignorant as to his
parliamentary qualifications. The last
time | saw the old cannIbal king he asked
affectiOnateiy after the ex.MayOr, now re-
turned TO NJ, bourne and sober black suits,
silk hats and general public business, in
which he shines.
Steinberger had not the muscle Of But
ters. but he bad more diplomacy. He ac-
puired not only the good will of the ma
tves, but conquered that Of the mission
aries, who, in samoa, are powerful That
Is, there are number OF "church mem
bers" and native teachers and preachers
But the old Adam and the old Eve still
crop out in Samoa. The law sits lightly
| on these warm-blOoded sensuous crea-
lures of Polynesia, with whom to love is
enough for the day without thought Of the
morrow. The light-skinned SamOans pat
Ter PRAYERS and responses before the mis-
iiOnary, and they go out into the groves
and worship AshtarOlh, or with gariands
# flowers and leaves twined around them
hey dance the meke on golden sands to
he chorus of the surf. The meke is the
ula of Hawaii, the nautch OF India, the
kaka of New Zealand, the eroic dance ot
limal humanity all over the world. 1t is
be sort of thing girl would not take her
Bother TO witness. saw 1T last on the
age of the Grand Opera at Pairs. SWIM
Nrne's lines,
Love dies, but we know thee immortal
Our Lady Of Pain"
tply equally to Paris and the South Seas.
the latter place, however, meke Is
he mere outcome of the pure Joy OF life,
hlch the people love as the ancient
Eeeks did. They see nothing wrong in
Nng natural
= Steinberger, however, avoided mekes on
ID first advent in Samoa. He had thus
he church with him as well as the stale,
Nt the strongest power after all was IN
he commercial world. THIS again was
Aded into three parts, American, Eng
lib and German. The latter power was
sNd is still to the front in Samoa. Gode1-
10Y a. Sons Of Hamburg for half century
have be. n known as the South Sea Kings"
Clnmencing at Tahiti, they moved tbeir
Establishment 10 Apia, and from thence
tedt out their traders 10 tae FlJis, the New
Hebrides. the Solomon Islands and re-
noe New Ireland and New Britain. Real
prhces of commerce, these Godenroys,
Like most kings and princes, cared very
little for tie people they used. The Goden-
fOys sold arms ana ammunltI on lmpsrI-
ally to me contendiug factions in Samoa,
ashg land IN exchange. they possessed
are tracts of the most fertile country
When Steinberger lett Samoa be not 0nly
carried with him letter from The chlels
y Preeident Grant, bat II private lettef
From the mariner at Apia 10 the head oil
he louise of Godef1rOy at HamDurg-one
who had. as n friend OF his youth, Ger
lain Otto Won Bismarck, since known rs
Prince RIsmatck, Chancellor OF the Ger
Pnan Empire. Col. Steiuberger, when ne
arrypd AT Washington. prepared an
Elaborate report, printed with olner Con-
gftssionaI papers, and signed a. -: